(Thomas)As I looked down at Lydia’s unconscious form, my chest tightened. I couldn’t leave her like this, not even for a second. Her skin was pale, her breathing shallow, and my heart raced with fear that something worse might happen.I didn’t have my phone to call for help, and every second spent waiting felt like too much. So I did the only thing I could.I scooped her up in my arms, bridal style, as gently as I could and cradled her head against my chest. Her body felt light, almost weightless, but that didn’t ease the sickening knot in my stomach.I couldn’t just leave Nathan’s jacket either. It might have something important, some clue, anything that could be used against him.He was a ghost now, disappeared down those stairs, but I wasn’t going to let him vanish without consequences. I grabbed the jacket, tucking it under my arm as best I could, even though I loathed touching anything that belonged to him.With Lydia in my arms, I headed toward the stairs that Nathan had taken.
(Ruby)The sound of giggles echoed in the living room as I watched Mabel and Miles play on the floor. Their little hands were busy with the blocks I’d given them just minutes ago.They were so full of energy, full of life, that you’d never guess everything they’d been through. I smiled softly, but beneath it, there was a heavy weight in my chest.Lydia had left them behind while she went to L.A., and it wasn’t rare of her to leave them with me, but it was definitely the first time where she was out of the country and I had to look after them.She rarely left them with anyone until Thomas had come along and she trusted him because he was their father.Lydia had always been fiercely protective of her kids but it increased after the kidnapping. The thought of what could have happened to them and what did happen to them... I shook my head, not wanting to dwell on it.I could only imagine how hard it had been for her to walk out the door when leaving for the airport, but I had reassured he
(Margaret)The door felt heavier than usual as I raised my hand to knock on it. Thomas’ office, though rarely used by him anymore, still carried his presence.Once, he had spent nearly all his time here while working, thinking, shutting out the world. But Lydia coming back into his life had changed things.Now, when Thomas wasn’t at his actual office, he was with the children or Lydia. A small mercy, I supposed. At least she had given him that – time with his children, a family, a semblance of normalcy.The children being here at the mansion, running through the halls, filling the air with laughter made things feel less empty. I’d seen the way Thomas smiled when they were near him, the way his eyes softened when he held them. It had been so long since I’d seen him that way, and I couldn’t deny that it did some good to see him happy. Small mercies, indeed.I knocked again, this time hearing a hurried, “Yes?”I opened the door to find Jack in the room, rummaging through the desk like a
(Jack)I rushed into my apartment, the door slamming shut behind me. My mind was racing, and I could feel the familiar knot of tension building in my chest. I’d forgotten my speech for tonight’s golden jubilee event. Of all the things I could’ve forgotten, it had to be that.I rubbed my forehead, frustrated with myself. It wasn’t just any speech; this was the one I’d reworked after Thomas told me he wouldn’t be there tonight. And now I had less than an hour before I had to be at the venue, meeting Ruby, making sure everything was perfect.“You sure you left it here?” came a voice from behind me. It was my assistant, who had picked me up from the mansion and driven me here in a mad rush. He’d been patient through my frantic search but was probably wondering why I didn’t just print another copy.It would have been embarrassing to tell him that I had written it down on a notepad, too tired to get out of bed and take my computer after a long day at work. After the news of Thomas’ departur
(Ruby)I stood in front of the mirror, twisting the last pin into my updo, securing the soft curls that had taken me forever to tame. My hair, its usual wild cascade of reddish curls, was now swept into a stylish updo with loose tendrils framing my face. I had taken great care to make sure it looked just right – elegant but not too formal.Tonight had to be perfect.I turned to my Mama, who was sitting on the edge of the bed, watching me with that warm, knowing look. She was always there for me, especially when I had something big on my mind. And tonight... Tonight was more than just the company’s golden jubilee event. Tonight could change everything."Mama, do you think I'm overthinking this?" I asked, my voice betraying the mix of excitement and nerves that had been building inside me for days.Mama gave me a soft smile, smoothing the fabric of her dress as she leaned forward slightly, “You’re not overthinking, honey. It’s normal to feel nervous when something important is about to
(Thomas)The room was dimly lit, just enough to see the outline of Lydia resting beneath the covers. Her breathing had steadied, a little shallower than usual but calm, as if her body was finally giving in to the rest it so desperately needed.I sat by her side, watching her closely, waiting for any sign of discomfort or unease. Every now and then, she stirred, and I’d gently press the cool cloth to her forehead or offer her another sip of water.The doctor’s words from earlier replayed in my mind like a mantra. He had told me to hydrate her, keep her comfortable, monitor her breathing, and call if anything changes. I’d followed the instructions to the letter, making sure Lydia had everything she needed throughout the night. I wasn’t going to let anything slip, not when her health was at stake. She was my world, and I couldn’t afford to let anything happen to her. Not again.I reached over to the nightstand and grabbed the water glass, gently placing it against her lips. "Just a litt
(Lydia)I woke up feeling like my head was swimming. The world around me felt unfocused and unfamiliar. My eyes fluttered open to the soft light filtering through the curtains of the hotel room. For a moment, I felt a pang of confusion, disoriented by my surroundings. But then I felt the weight of Thomas beside me, his presence grounding me instantly.I exhaled in relief, letting the tension in my body dissolve. Thomas was right there, as solid and steady as ever, lying next to me with his hand resting protectively on my arm. My throat felt scratchy and parched, and I instinctively shifted.He noticed it immediately.“Here,” Thomas said softly, his voice warm and comforting. He grabbed the glass of water from the nightstand and helped me sit up just enough to take a few slow sips. The cool water felt like a balm against the dryness in my throat, and I sighed as the fog in my head began to clear, if only slightly.Once I finished, Thomas set the glass down and sat on the edge of the b
(Thomas)I could feel it, the way Lydia was processing everything. The silence that stretched between us worried me though. She was deep in thought, her brow furrowed slightly, her lips pressed together in the way they always were when something weighed heavily on her. But she wasn’t saying anything.I hated that. I hated that I didn’t know what was running through her mind. I didn’t want what happened to scar her, to leave a mark.I’d seen her shaken before after Nathan had broken into her house. The memory of that night still sat heavy in my chest. I stayed with her afterwards, unable to leave her side. I could still hear her muffled cries, the way she had jolted awake from a nightmare that had ripped through her like a storm.It had pained me then, and it pained me now. I couldn’t stand the thought of her carrying that kind of fear again.“Lydia,” I said softly, shifting closer to her on the bed. Her hand was still in mine, warm but slightly tense. “Talk to me,” I said softly, “Wha
(Ruby)I stood outside Jack’s apartment door, my hand hesitating over the knocker. I shouldn’t be here. I’d already done more than enough, stitched him up, watching him avoid my questions like he always did. But despite every logical reason to stay away, I was here. Because this wasn’t just anyone, it was Jack. The Jack who had once made me laugh so hard I cried, who had shared countless quiet evenings with me in this very apartment. The Jack who, despite all the hurt and chaos, still managed to make my heart skip a beat when I thought of him. I pressed my lips together, pushing the memories aside. This wasn’t about rekindling anything; it was about making sure he was okay. He had shown up at my door injured and vulnerable, and no matter how much time had passed or how complicated things had gotten, I couldn’t ignore that. Taking a deep breath, I knocked. When Jack opened the door, his surprise was clear, though he quickly masked it with that practiced cool demeanor of his.
(Jack)I sat on the edge of my couch, staring at the bandage on my side, frustration boiling just beneath the surface. The room was quiet, save for the faint hum of the refrigerator in the kitchen. The family doctor had left about an hour ago after re-dressing my wound. He was efficient and professional, as always, and I appreciated the care. But damn it, why hadn’t I thought to call him in the first place? The moment I got injured, my instincts hadn’t pointed me toward practicality or logic. No, instead, I’d ended up at Ruby’s apartment, bloodied and in desperate need of stitches. I didn’t even remember the exact route I’d taken to get there, just that I had. Like my brain had been hardwired to seek her out, even when it made no sense. It embarrassed me now. Ruby had been nothing but calm and steady as she stitched me up, but I could tell how unsettled she was underneath that brave exterior. And I’d put her in that position, dragged her into something she had no business being
(Lydia)The drive back to the mansion felt electric, charged with an energy I couldn’t quite put into words. Thomas’s hand rested on my thigh as he navigated the quiet streets, his fingers brushing gently against my skin. Neither of us said much; the connection between us was palpable without needing words. By the time we reached the house and stepped through the door, it was as if the air around us crackled with anticipation. Ruby had left a note on the counter saying the kids were asleep and she’d see us tomorrow. I smiled, grateful for her support, but my focus was entirely on Thomas. As soon as the door to our bedroom clicked shut behind us, it was like a dam broke. His lips were on mine in an instant, hot and urgent, pulling me into him as if the space between us was unbearable. My hands found their way to his shoulders, then his hair, as I pressed closer, feeling the hard lines of his body against mine. “Lydia,” he murmured, his voice low and thick with desire. I didn’t
(Lydia)When I woke up in the morning, I felt completely refreshed. Today was special. Thomas and I had a date planned, just the two of us. It had been far too long since we’d had an evening to ourselves, and the thought of spending uninterrupted time with him filled me with excitement. Thomas was already awake, sitting on the edge of the bed as he adjusted his tie. His usual morning routine was precise, and I admired how calm and collected he looked, even when I knew his day would be busy. “Good morning,” I murmured, leaning up on my elbows. He turned, smiling warmly, “Good morning, love. Sleep well?” I nodded, sliding closer to him, “You’re leaving early today.” “Lots to do before tonight,” he said with a wink. I couldn’t help but smile at the playful glint in his eyes. Recently, he had been waking up looking like he didn’t get much sleep the night before. But today, he looked like he rested well. Wrapping my arms around his neck, I kissed him passionately, savoring the
(Thomas)The drive back to the mansion was quiet, the city lights a blur as they passed by the windows. My mind replayed the events of the day, the chaos with that one candidate, the interviews that went nowhere, and then Jack. That wound, the tension in his voice, the possibility of Marco being involved, it all left a sour taste in my mouth. But I pushed it aside for now. I didn’t want to bring that storm home with me.By the time I pulled into the driveway, the mansion was bathed in soft light, welcoming and warm. I exhaled deeply, the weight of the day slowly lifting as I reminded myself of what mattered most, my family.Inside, the familiar sounds of home greeted me. Miles and Mabel’s laughter echoed from the living room, where they were playing with a set of blocks. Lydia sat nearby, her eyes flicking between them and her phone. When she looked up and saw me, her face brightened in a way that made the tension in my chest ease instantly.“Daddy!” Miles and Mabel shouted in unison
(Thomas)The hallways of the office were unusually quiet as I left the disaster of the last interview behind me. My steps echoed faintly as I made my way toward Jack’s office, needing a moment to vent about the absurdity of the day. Jack always had a way of grounding me, even when the world felt like it was spiraling out of control.But when I arrived at his office, it was empty. The blinds were drawn, the desk cleared except for a mug of cold coffee. I frowned, pulling out my phone to call him.He picked up after a few rings. His voice was low and somewhat strained when he spoke, “Thomas?”“Jack,” I said, glancing at my watch, “Where are you? I just came by your office.”“I’m at my apartment,” he replied, his tone clipped. “At your apartment?” I repeated, my frown deepening, “It’s the middle of the day, Jack. What’s going on?”There was a pause, long enough to make me suspicious. “I had to step out for a bit,” he finally said, “I’ll be back soon.”“Jack-”“Thomas, I’m fine,” he int
(Lydia)As we pulled into the driveway of the mansion, I couldn’t help but glance at Ruby in the passenger seat. Her face was calm, her usual cool composure firmly in place, but I could tell she was exhausted. Whatever had happened earlier was still playing in the back of my mind, but I didn’t press her further. Ruby had always been good at deflecting, and I knew better than to push when she wasn’t ready to share. The front door opened before we even reached it, and there stood Mama, smiling weakly but genuinely. She leaned on her cane, her movements slower since the surgery, but her spirit was intact. Ruby was by her side in a flash, steadying her and guiding her gently back into the living room. “Ruby, you didn’t have to come all the way here if the boutique was busy,” Mama said softly, though her eyes betrayed how much she appreciated the gesture. “I wanted to,” Ruby replied simply, her voice steady, “And you know me, I don’t trust anyone else to make sure you’re properly ta
(Thomas)The office felt unusually stifling today, as if the walls were closing in on me. My desk was piled with documents, but my attention was split. Half of my mind churned through what would happen when I met Nathan again.I had not seen him face to face since the last time, the night I found Lydia after he had kidnapped her. My blood boiled just thinking about that moment. I would have made a rash decision if it wasn’t for Lydia’s hand in mind and the thought of our kids, their smiling faces flashing through my mind.They had already spent so much time without me, their dad, I wasn’t going to make a horrible decision by harming Nathan and landing myself behind bars.I was glad that I hadn’t acted out of emotion, but that was also due to the fact that Lydia was right in front of me, looking relatively unharmed. If he had done something to her…then I would have taken it into my hands.Apart from this, there was also the added stress of finding another personal assistant for myself.
(Lydia)By the time I reached Ruby’s apartment, I could hardly breathe. My legs burned from climbing the stairs two at a time, but I didn’t care. My mind was racing, filled with every worst-case scenario I could imagine. Ruby’s phone going unanswered and her not showing up at the mansion had sent my thoughts spiraling into dark territory.I pounded on her door, my fist landing hard against the wood.“Ruby? Open up! It’s me!”The hallway was eerily silent, my frantic knocks echoing off the walls. I pressed my ear to the door, hoping to catch even the faintest sound of movement inside.“Ruby, please! Are you okay?”The seconds stretched unbearably. Then, finally, I heard the muffled shuffle of footsteps. Relief surged through me, but it was fleeting.The door opened just a crack, and Ruby appeared, peeking through the gap. Her face was calm, but her eyes held a flicker of something…annoyance? Discomfort?“Lydia,” she said, her voice carefully even, “What are you doing here?”I pushed th